In Virginia, the terms “white collar” and “blue collar” crimes are sometimes used to differentiate between charges. If you find yourself facing a charge that falls under one of these categories, Mark B. Arthur, attorney at law, can help you understand crucial points that separate them in the eyes of the law.
The term white collar crime is used in association with people who are considered to be from the upper levels of society. On the other side hand, “blue collar” is a term reserved for crimes historically believed to be committed by the lower classes. Blue collar crimes typically refer to issues like burglary, assault, or crimes dealing with drugs, property, sex, and so on. Even people who are members of the social or financial elite can commit blue collar crimes.
White collar crimes, on the other hand, are usually more focused on issues related to money or business. A few typical examples include:
- Embezzlement
- Forgery
- Wire fraud
- Insider trading
- Ponzi schemes
- Cybercrime
Bribery, money laundering, copyright infringement and other related crimes are also white collar. In general, actions that directly impact or involve a business or large sums of money will usually end up being categorized as white collar.
If you are currently facing criminal charges and aren’t sure what to do next, please consider visiting our web page on criminal defense cases. The first step is to have an attorney who understands the charges inside and out, as they are the ones who will be able to help you fight against them in court.
